Family Receives New Home, Fresh Start

At the beginning of the year, a Gainesville family lost everything they had after a fire destroyed their mobile home.

And now a couple of weeks later, Gainesville resident Ray Latson gets to open the one door that matters the most. . .the door to his new home.

"So, many people came out and helped us, we were just totally overwhelmed and wanna offer thanks to everyone that helped us out," Latson said.

Earlier this month, a fire destroyed his mobile home in the Candlelight mobile park off of NE 12th Ave. in Gainesville.

Latson and his girlfriend were briefly put up in a hotel, but were unsure about their future.

"We didn't know where we was gonna go, what we were gonna do and it was just to much for us," Latson said. "Thankfully by the grace of God, everything has come together."

Latson's mother, Darlene Burkett said she kept faith things would turn around for her son.

"We're thankful that so many organizations out there to help you," Burkett said. "And there is help out there through the grace of God, gotta have faith when one door close, another door open for you."

Latson was set up with an apartment at Holly Heights in southwest Gainesville through the housing authority. Many other organizations donated stuff to the family as well.

"I can rest easily now," Burkett said. "My son got a roof over his head. Everything is going ok"